National Policy Strategies Research Articles

Exploring support for return-to-work: A comparative analysis of firm and country-level factors

Abstract Background Employers are important stakeholders in efforts to facilitate the return-to-work (RTW) of employees after sick-leave, but the available data reveal large variation in employer support for RTW across European countries and firms. This paper explores in a comparative perspective what factors at the country level and at the firm level can explain these differences. Methods Employer support for RTW is examined using microdata covering 31 countries from the Third European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER), conducted in 2019 (N = 9,775). These data are integrated with country-level indicators to capture national differences in economic incentives and institutional provisions concerning the management of sick-leave. Two-level mixed-effects logit models with random intercepts are used to estimate the impact that different firm characteristics and country-level factors have on the propensity to provide RTW support. Results The empty model has an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.345, indicating that a substantial share of the observed variation across European firms is determined at the country level. Larger establishments and those with workplace health risks are more likely to provide RTW support. Including firm-level indicators does however not reduce the observed between-country variance. Institutional differences in the economic costs of sick leave for employers, on the other hand, explain about 15% of this variance. The ICC drops more strongly after including in the model policy indicators that capture activating elements in the social security system and the existence of national policies targeting RTW. The full model explains almost two thirds (62.8%) of the observed between-country variance. Conclusions The findings highlight that only in few European countries employers are systematically involved in RTW support and strengthen the case for comprehensive policy strategies to engage employers in worker activation. Key messages • Employer characteristics, such as firm size, impact the propensity to provide RTW support, but they do not explain the large between-country variation that we observe across Europe. • Comprehensive national policy strategies and institutional incentives are crucial to engage employers systematically in RTW efforts.

Mitigating economic losses and prospects for the development of the energy sector in the Republic of Kosovo

The purpose of the study was to analyse the current economic problems in the energy sector of Kosovo and to develop effective strategies to overcome them, in particular ways to minimise losses and increase the stability of the energy system, as well as to study opportunities for ensuring the country’s long-term development and energy security. The main focus was on the economic impact of implementing international energy standards, particularly European ones, within Kosovo’s national policy and development strategy. The analysis emphasised the financial benefits and challenges associated with aligning the country’s energy sector with EU directives, especially those related to renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Key areas of the study included the economic potential of enhancing energy security, promoting renewable energy development, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, the study evaluated the economic implications of these reforms on Kosovo’s energy market and overall economic growth trajectory. The study also included an economic analysis that assessed possible economic losses associated with the transition to renewable energy sources. Risks were considered, including job losses in traditional energy sectors such as coal and the significant financial costs required to upgrade infrastructure. However, the study found that the long-term benefits of a green energy transition, including increased energy security, reduced dependence on energy imports and improved environmental conditions, outweigh the short-term economic costs. The results showed that although the economic transition is accompanied by significant financial costs, the long-term benefits, such as increased energy security and reduced emissions, are substantial. The study highlights the importance of further reforms and investments to ensure the sustainable development of Kosovo’s energy sector, as well as the country’s integration into the European energy environment

Landscape analysis of the Kenyan policy on the treatment and prevention of diarrheal disease among under-5 children

ObjectiveDiarrhoea remains a leading cause of morbidity and death among under-5 children in Kenya, despite multipronged policy and programme initiatives to increase access to treatment. This study interrogates the comprehensiveness...

Climate change adaptation attributes across scales and inter-institutional networks: insights from national and state level water management institutions in India

Effective climate change adaptation requires cohesive inter-institutional networks across different scales, facilitating the sharing of data, information, knowledge, and practices. However, the impact of adaptation attributes across scales is poorly understood due to limited focus on these networks. Based on interviews with 26 institutions operating at the national level (ION) in India and 26 institutions operating within a state (Himachal Pradesh) (IOS), this study analysed adaptation attributes and the inter-institutional networks across the two scales to understand its implications at different scales. IONs have a greater capacity (compared to IOS) to frame guidelines, standards and regulations for practitioners along with better accessibility to resources and information. When coupled with bridging institutions, this can enhance adaptive capacities at other scales. Conversely, learnings from low regret adaptive measures being implemented by IOS are opportunities for informing national policy strategies. While national adaptation strategies and goals can inspire adaptation at lower scales, the currently fragmented inter-institutional network in India reduces the passage and accessibility of data and information, creating a bottleneck for the smooth devolution of adaptation attributes. Recruitment and deployment practices for water officials further entrench silo attitudes, impeding essential data accessibility. Adaptation needs comprehensive networks across vertical, horizontal, and diagonal institutional connections to improve climate risk perception and strategy implementation. Policy measures should consider socio-institutional factors beyond legislative prescriptions.

Оцінювання актуальності та впливу глобальних викликів для національної політики.

The article is devoted to the presentation of certain results of the scientific project «Evaluation of national social policy in the context of global challenges», which was carried out by a team of specialists of the Ptoukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the NAS of Ukraine in 2022—2024. These results were obtained during carrying out tasks related to the identification of global challenges for Ukraine, assessment of their relevance and impact on national policy. The main basis of this work is the theoretical and applied findings of the most famous studies of such categories as global risks, threats and challenges. The study of global risks and challenges is one of the most relevant scientific tasks for today, as humanity is increasingly aware of the urgent need to confront possible threats to its existence both at the level of international cooperation and at the level of national policy. The article provides a brief overview of current research with an emphasis on the Global Risk Perception Survey (GRPS) methodology, according to which the World Economic Forum annually conducts assessments and publishes their results in its reports. By analogy with the international GRPS methodology, as part of the project implementation, for the first time in Ukraine, a series of surveys of national experts was conducted to assess the national context of global challenges perception. The first round was held on the eve of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine’s territory by Russian troops, in the period from February 16 to February 23, 2022, the second round — in the summer of 2022, and the third — in the fall of 2023. The purpose of this study is to determine the composition, degree of relevance and measure of impact of global challenges (at the national level — on the population of the country, at the local level — on the population of the community), as well as to study the temporal component of changes in their perception. For the formation of main postulates of the research, the work uses general scientific methods of generalization, analysis, comparisons, as well as a graphic method — for visualization of obtained results. As a tool for the two-dimensional assessment of the relevance and impact of global challenges, the authors built a matrix that allowed to group the challenges according to the growth rate of the evaluated parameters. The largest group includes eight challenges that have a significant impact on national policy and will be relevant in the next three years: «Employment crisis», «Deterioration of the population’s mental health», «Collapse of social security systems», «Decreasing accessibility and quality of education», «Damaging the ecosystems», «Increasing social inequality», «Deterioration of water resources quality», «Insufficient ensuring of human rights». The experts assessed only one challenge as catastrophic — the «High level of armed violence», by which they obviously meant human losses due to the death and injury of the military personnel and civilian population, loss of health and work capacity. It is these challenges that will require priority attention in the development of national policy strategies. The ability of our country to face global challenges and ensure social and economic resilience depends on the adequacy of the decisions that will be made.

Comparative analysis of energy poverty definition and measurement in Portugal and Spain

This paper aims to critically analyse and compare the definition and measurement of energy poverty reflected in the national policy strategies in Portugal and Spain and propose recommendations for their enhancement. The analysis is supported by a systematic literature review of indicators in the Iberian context. Results highlight that both definitions can benefit from broadening the scope and increasing the representativeness of energy services and types of vulnerability. Measurement can be enhanced using available data and indicators for increasing comprehensiveness, reducing redundancy, and considering depth and persistence. Higher effectiveness in energy-poor households’ identification requires increased indicator intersectionality and alternative indicators.

Developing a national nutrition policy strategy to advance cardiometabolic health and health equity

Developing a national nutrition policy strategy to advance cardiometabolic health and health equity

Historical Analysis of Nepal’s International Relations from a Defence Perspective

Nepal has a track record of being one of the oldest as well as ever sovereign and independent nations of the world. Today, Nepal’s international relations is going through a critical and vulnerable phase. One of the main reasons for this may be that Nepal abruptly abandoned and stopped learning from the deeds of the founding heroes and has not been able to chart and steer an effective national policy strategy in its international relations. In the past, many of the rulers used to be kings and military generals and they had adopted hard power as their main instruments. Today, Nepal cannot think of hard power but rather soft power and smart power. At this point, it would be pertinent to reflect on Nepal’s past international relations policy strategy so it may help to understand the value and role of national security policy strategy as an integral part of successful international relations in the future. This paper has tried to examine the international relations of contemporary Nepal from a defense perspective based on historical references.

Examining the Interplay of Labour Productivity Policies and Industrial-Energy-Environmental Policy Goals

The academic and policy-oriented literature increasingly quantifies the wider effects of energy policy on the macroeconomy. However, the spillovers from economic policies to energy use are less frequently recognised, meaning that many policymakers who strive to improve productivity whilst simultaneously targeting emission reduction fail to consider these interactions. This paper addresses this issue by using simulation results generated by introducing an exogenous increase in labour productivity in a computable general equilibrium model calibrated with data from the United Kingdom. Theoretical analysis suggests that increasing labour productivity can have positive or negative effects on employment levels and energy use. However, the simulation results show that in the context of a developed open economy, improved labour efficiency will increase employment, a key policy objective, but simultaneously increase energy use. A key policy implication is that this work highlights the need for policy frameworks that explicitly acknowledge and quantify the interconnections between national economic policy strategies and energy policy objectives. Secondly, it shows that in practice, policies to reduce carbon emissions need to be strengthened alongside policies to improve productivity successfully implemented.

Practical Analysis of Integrating Ecological Civilization Construction into Ideological and Political Teaching in Colleges and Universities

In the curriculum system of colleges and universities, ideological and political courses are compulsory. This course aims to lead college students to understand the latest national policy guidelines and strategies and to help them establish a correct world outlook, outlook on life and values, and always strive to contribute to the cause of social justice construction. The construction of ecological civilization is a long-term construction task. This construction task is closely related to ideological and political education. This connection has gradually infiltrated the construction of ecological civilization in major universities' ideological and political classrooms. Based on this, this paper focuses on analyzing the strategy of integrating the construction of ecological civilization into teaching ideological and political courses in colleges and universities, which has to guide value for the actual teaching work.

MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN FACING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0.

Industry 4.0 is a real condition that we face. To meet this condition, Indonesia still needs IT infrastructure transformation. The problems that are happening at this time can no longer be solved in the same way as in the past. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is not sufficient only to be faced with technological sophistication alone, but must also involve social dynamics in it. So preparing a competitive advantage is necessary to answer the development of today's world, when information flows very quickly without being predictable with certainty. The important question is whether the concept of national policy strategy has been formulated properly. Have educational institutions in the community, especially Islamic Education institutions, begun to be designed to adapt to meet the needs for expertise in the industrial era 4.0. Furthermore, how can educators, educational staff, managers of Islamic educational institutions design management with a new paradigm and to anticipate and fill industry 4.0, especially in terms of the values built, because it is certain that industry 4.0 will have a negative impact. This is where Islamic Education institutions play a role. This paper aims to answer some of these questions. The method used in writing this article is a qualitative descriptive method through a library research approach. The conclusions from this paper are (1) the governance management of Islamic educational institutions is still weak; (2) the influence of industry 4.0. Islamic educational institutions need to respond wisely; (3) the need for massive reforms in Islamic educational institutions; (4) a revolutionary, responsive and visionary way of thinking is needed from all parties to create Islamic educational institutions that can respond to the influence of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the current era of disruption; and (5) the importance of strengthening governance management in Islamic educational institutions. The solution to these problems is the need for massive reforms in the management of Islamic educational institutions so that they are able to respond to the challenges and demands of the changing times. In addition, this paper also seeks to provide a solutive offer for Islamic education in facing the Industrial Revolution 4.0 Era.

The impact of covid-19 pandemic on Albanian health emergency operation centre

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, each State adopted different health emergency strategies to face this new challenge. After the first hospital centred answer, these strategies promoted the strengthening of the territorial health assistance as better response to population health needs at worldwide level. This approach was especially important in the countries in transition, where the hospital systems are weaker. This research aims to assess the impact of these new health policy strategies on health emergency operation centre (HEOC) in a country in transition. Country case study was found to be the most effective methodology. Albania was a significant case study due to its ongoing efforts to align its national healthcare system with European health standards being in pre-adhesion to the European Union. Moreover, this country has recently implemented a modern national HEOC (2018). The data shows that at the beginning to COVID-19 pandemic, the response by HEOC was limited and mainly hospital-centred. In 2020 only 8% of the calls for COVID-19 to the HEOC had an intervention, that was in the 49% a transport in hospital. Medical consultations and treatments on site were only the 4%. In 2021, the issue of guidelines aimed at giving priority to the territorial health assistance brought to a relevant reduction of calls (-64%). It allowed the HEOC to enlarge its response until to give a response to the 34% of calls. The 15% of calls were managed by medical consultations and 18% by treatments on site. The cases transported in hospital were always the 50% but they decreased off -63% in absolute value. In Albania the implementation of national health policy strategies that have enhanced the territorial response to COVID-19 pandemic, relieved the pressure on HEOC by calls’ reduction. In this way, HEOC focused its efforts on the applications of territorial responses instead of hospitalization, according to national health policy strategies, increasing its responsiveness. Key messages • The enhancement of the territorial response to COVID-19 pandemic has eased the pressure on the Albanian HEOC. • The territorial response to COVID-19 pandemic by the Albanian HEOC especially focused on mainly the provision of medical consultations and treatments on site.

Implementation Of The Policy Of Equalizing Structural Positions (JA) To Functional Positions (JF) In Efforts To Enhance Motivation, Performance, And Career Development Of Employees Of The National Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN)

The purpose of this research is to analyze the Implementation of the Policy of Equalizing Structural Positions (JA) to Functional Positions (JF) in efforts to enhance the motivation, performance, and career development of employees at the National Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN). The participants in this research are former Structural Officials of Eselon III and IV who were affected by the equalization of positions at BSKDN, totaling 10 individuals. The method used in this research is qualitative descriptive, collecting field data through interviews with informants and participants, observing the research subjects, and studying documentation related to the theme being researched. The study's findings reveal that BSKDN Kemendagri has taken steps to implement the equalization policy by conducting socialization and providing facilitation to all officials impacted by the equalization of positions. In the process of implementing the division of positions at BSKDN, clear communication and available bureaucratic structure have been evident, though further resource management is still required. The disposition has been executed, enabling the implementation of the policy of equalizing positions at BSKDN to proceed smoothly. However, some challenges were identified in the process, requiring further handling and management.

Constraints Hindering ICT Integration in Ethiopian Public Secondary Schools: A Literature Review

This study's main objective is to identify the constraint hindering ICT integration in education. The study's results demonstrate that Integration of ICT is still in its infant stages due to a lack of infrastructure, insufficient funds, lack of technical and administrative support, lack of time, teachers' knowledge, abilities, and use of technology are lacking. Those challenges are distinguished as teachers-related challenges, students-related challenges, resource-related challenges and administrative-related challenges. The implication is that ICT integration is not The implication is that using ICT integration to improve learning and teaching is not happening in accordance with the national ICT policy strategy thus to reap the greatest benefit from ICT integration all concerned bodies, actors at all levels should pay special attention to ICT integration practices in the study area from the higher-level ministry of education to the lower level woreda education office and schools. finally, it is suggested that in the future a countrywide study involving all other variables and private secondary schools not considered in this study, should be conducted.

Identification of urgent gaps in public and policymaker knowledge of heart failure: Results of a global survey

BackgroundDespite advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction, people with HF continue to have a high risk of mortality and hospitalisation. Patients also suffer from poor quality of life, with reduced societal and economic participation. The burden of HF on patients and healthcare systems is extraordinary, yet awareness remains low. This survey was conducted to identify gaps in general public and policymaker knowledge around HF.MethodsA closed-question web-based survey of the general public and policymakers was conducted between February and October 2020. Study outcomes assessed the participants’ awareness and understanding of HF symptoms, risk factors and mortality, and views around hospital admissions in their country. Responses were collected using multiple-choice questions.ResultsThe survey was completed by 26,272 general public respondents in 13 countries and 281 government and public sector policymakers in nine countries. While 99% of general public respondents had heard of HF, their understanding of the condition and its symptoms was poor, and only 6% identified that shortness of breath, fatigue, and leg swelling were the main symptoms of HF. Of policymaker respondents, 14% identified HF as the leading cause of avoidable hospitalisations, and only 4% recognised that ~ 87% of government spending on HF is related to hospitalisations.ConclusionsMajor gaps were identified in the understanding of HF and the burden it places on patients and their caregivers, healthcare systems and society. This study confirms an ongoing need for national policy strategies and investment to raise awareness of the importance of HF prevention, early diagnosis, and implementation of effective treatments to reduce hospitalisations and death.

UK midwives' perceptions and experiences of using Facebook to provide perinatal support: Results of an exploratory online survey.

Seeking support from Facebook groups during pregnancy is now widespread and social media has been widely used by the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) maternity services to communicate with service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, little is currently known about midwives' attitudes towards, and experiences of social media in practice. Research is needed to understand barriers and solutions to meeting mothers' expectations of online support and to improve services. This study explored midwife involvement in Facebook groups, exploring experiences and perceptions of its use to communicate with and support mothers. An online survey consisting of open and closed questions was completed by 719 midwives and student during August- September 2020. Quantitative questionnaire data was analysed descriptively using SPSS v26. Qualitative data gathered from free text responses was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Few participants were involved in providing Facebook support, and most of these were unpaid. There was a consensus on a range of benefits for mothers, but widespread concern that engaging with mothers online was a personal and professional risk, underpinned by a lack of support. Experience of being involved in midwife moderation increased belief in its benefits and reduced fear of engaging online, despite a lack of renumeration and resources. Midwives and students felt they were discouraged from offering Facebook support and sought further training, guidance and support. Although limited, experiences of providing Facebook group support are positive. Perceptions of risk and a lack of support are significant barriers to midwives' involvement in using Facebook groups to support mothers. Midwives seek support and training to safely and effectively engage with mothers using Facebook. Engaging with mothers via social media is embedded in UK national policy and NHS digital strategy, and progress is needed to fulfil these, to improve services and meet mothers' expectations. Midwives' experiences suggest extending opportunities to provide Facebook support would benefit midwives, services and families. Consultation to revise local policy to support midwives and students in line with strategic goals is recommended.

Sectoral policies as drivers of forest management and ecosystems services: A case study in Bavaria, Germany

European countries have national sectoral polices to regulate and promote the provision of a wide range of forest ecosystems services (FES). However, potential incoherencies among these policies can negatively affect the efficient provision of FES. In this work, we evaluated the coherence among three national policies from Germany and their ability to effectively provide FES in the future: the Forest Strategy 2020 (FS), the National Strategy on Biological Diversity (BDS), and the German National Policy Strategy on Bioeconomy (BES). Using forest inventory data from the Federal State of Bavaria, we simulated a range of forest management options under three climate trajectories for 100 years into the future (2012–2112). Then, with multi-objective optimization, we translated each policy into a specific scenario and identified the best combination of management regimes that maximizes the targets defined in each policy scenario. The three policies were vague in the definition of FES. The FS was the most comprehensive policy aiming for a higher degree of multifunctionality, whereas the BES and BDS focused on less FES. The FS and the BDS showed the highest coherence, while the BES showed a stronger focus on timber production. As a result, the optimal management programs of FS and BDS showed high integration, with a dominance of Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), and certain shares of set asides. Climate change led to an increase of set aside areas due to increased productivity. In the BES, the share of land among management regimes was strongly segregated between CCF and rotation forestry. Our policy coherence analysis showed that achieving a multifunctional provision of FES requires policy coherence, fostering a diverse management of the landscape that mainly takes advantage of integrative management, like CCF, but also segregates important parts of the landscape for intensive use and set asides. Nevertheless, the current high standing volumes in Bavaria will pose an additional risk to implement such management.

Evaluating Cybersecurity Capacity Building of ASEAN Plus Three through Social Network Analysis

The strategic rivalry between the United States and China is out in full swing in Southeast Asia. As the result, ASEAN is emerging both as a key player as well as a playground for pivotal global and regional actors. South Korea, Japan, and China known as ASEAN Plus Three, have strong economic, political, and technological ties with the region, and have leveraged their cyber capabilities to compete for influence in the region. This study evaluates the relative performances of the Plus Three’ cyber outreach efforts to the region by visualizing the complex web of actors and cyber cooperation and assistance activities with network analysis tools and open-source databases. We quantitatively analyze national cyber security cooperation of ASEAN including South Korea, Japan, and China through capacity building indicators and social network methodology. This study (1) analyzes cybersecurity cooperation in ASEAN Plus Three, (2) explores factors that influence cooperation, and (3) lays out a quantitative basis for establishing national information policy and cybersecurity strategy. We find that the Plus Three, despite the outward similarity in their respective regional strategies, are a study of contrasts, with one of them emerging as an influential yet silent power in the regional cyber diplomacy domain.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Aspirational or obtainable?

The <scp>United Nations</scp> Sustainable Development Goals: Aspirational or obtainable?

Looking through a policy window with tinted glasses: Setting the agenda for U.S. AI policy

AbstractThe policy agenda is currently being established for artificial intelligence (AI), a domain marked by complex and sweeping implications for economic transformation tempered by concerns about social and ethical risks. This article reviews the United States national AI policy strategy through extensive qualitative and quantitative content analysis of 63 strategic AI policy documents curated by the federal government between 2016 and 2020. Drawing on a prominent theory of agenda setting, the Multiple Streams Framework, and in light of competing paradigms of technology policy, this article reviews how the U.S. government understands the key policy problems, solutions, and issue frames associated with AI. Findings indicate minimal attention to focusing events or problem indicators emphasizing social and ethical concerns, as opposed to economic and geopolitical ones. Further, broad statements noting ethical dimensions of AI often fail to translate into specific policy solutions, which may be explained by a lack of technical feasibility or value acceptability of ethics‐related policy solutions, along with institutional constraints for agencies in specific policy sectors. Finally, despite widespread calls for increased public participation, proposed solutions remain expert dominated. Overall, while the emerging U.S. AI policy agenda reflects a striking level of attention to ethics—a promising development for policy stakeholders invested in AI ethics and more socially oriented approaches to technology governance—this success is only partial and is ultimately layered into a traditional strategic approach to innovation policy.